Nepal's parliament approves polls to new assembly

KATHMANDU, Apr 30 (Reuters) Nepal's parliament unanimously approved today a proposal by new Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala to hold elections for a special assembly to draw up a new constitution that will decide the future of the monarchy.

The 205-member chamber took the decision at the end of a four-hour debate on the proposal, days after unpopular King Gyanendra returned power to political parties, but it did not set a date for the vote.

An election schedule is expected to be drawn up only after Koirala's government has held talks with Maoist insurgents and won their backing for the plan.

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